Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 39

Chapter 29-1

+25 Pointe

Chapter 29-1

(Sabrina’s POV)

“Sabrina, that’s insane. You start work Monday. You need stability for Jake-”

“I don’t need your job anymore.” The words are out before I can stop them. “I’m not working at

Phoenix Cosmetics.”

Sophia’s face goes white. “What?”

“I can’t work for you. Not after this. I want to stand on my own, Soph.”

“But you’re the most qualified person for the job!”

“Maybe. But I’ll never believe it now. I’ll always wonder if you hired me out of pity.” I shake my head “I’m going to find a job on my own. Somewhere that doesn’t know about my divorce or my viral videos or my pathetic life. Somewhere I can prove myself.”

“Mommy, no!” Jake is crying harder now. “Don’t leave Aunt Sophia! She’s sorry! She said she’s sorry! She didn’t want to do this, but I convinced her to do it for me.”

I know she is, baby. But sometimes sorry isn’t enough.”

I pack our things quickly, methodically. Clothes. Toiletries. Jake’s toys. The painting he made me that says “Mom is strong like a dinosaur.”

Looking at it now, the words feel like a lie.

I’m not strong. If I was strong, I wouldn’t be running away from everyone who cares about me.

But I can’t stay. I can’t keep depending on people who think they know what’s best for me.

I have to prove-to them, to myself, to everyone-that I can stand on my own.

Even if standing alone is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

When our bags are packed, I take Jake’s hand and walk toward the door. Sophia is still standing there, tears streaming down her face.

“Please don’t go,” she whispers. “I love you. I’m sorry. Please don’t do this.”

“I love you too,” I say, and I mean it. “But I need to do this. I need to start on my own without anyone’s help. It’s the only way I’ll ever regain my past confidence.”

“You’re my best friend.”

“I know. But right now, I need space. I want to be alone.”

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Chapter 29-1

I walk out the door, Jake’s hand in mine, and don’t look back.

+25 Points

In the elevator, Jake looks up at me with those big, sad eyes. “Are we really going to be okay,

Mommy?”

I kneel down, forcing a smile I don’t feel. “Yes, baby. We’re going to be okay. Because we have each other. And that’s all we need.”

He nods, but he doesn’t look convinced.

Neither am I.

But I meant what I said. I’m done depending on others.

From now on, I stand on my own.

Even if it kills me.

The hotel room we check into smells like industrial cleaning products.

I drop our bags by the door and stand there, staring at the generic landscape painting on the wall, the mass-produced bedspread, the sad little coffee maker on the dresser that probably hasn’t been cleaned in months.

This is rock bottom.

Not Dustin’s affair. Not losing my job. Not even the viral videos.

This. Standing in a budget hotel room with my five-year-old son, having just walked away from the only person who’s been trying to help me.

“Mommy?” Jake tugs on my hand. “Are we sleeping here tonight?”

I force a smile. “Yeah, baby. Just for a little while. Until we find our own place.”

“I liked Aunt Sophia’s house better. It had the big TV and the pool on the roof.”

“I know.” I squeeze his hand. “But this is our adventure now. Just you and me. Doesn’t that sound

fun?”

He doesn’t answer. Just clutches Rexy tighter and looks around the room with those sad eyes that make my chest hurt.

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